Tutorial: Blocking Smocked Yokes with Freezer Paper
The moment that always scares me when I’m making a smocked dress always comes when I’ve got to cut away my smocking for the armholes. Typically, the instructions say something like. “Block smocking....
View ArticleTutorial: Designing Geometric Smocking Plates in Illustrator
This is the third lesson in my series of tutorials on how to use Adobe Illustrator to create smocking plates. This geometric plate features some of the most common geometric smocking stitches,...
View ArticleTutorial: Designing Geometric Smocking Plates in Illustrator Pt 2
This is part 2 of 3 of how to use Adobe Illustrator to create smocking plates. You’ll find the first part of this tutorial on designing geometric smocking plates here. 24. Select the “4 Step Full...
View ArticleFree Dress Pattern for 18″ Knit Doll
OK, succumbed to buyer’s impulse on Friday and picked up a wonderful knit doll from our local toy shop, Citizen Kid. It’s not far from our house, so the boys always have to stop by and ‘ad-mire’....
View ArticleTutorial: Designing Geometric Smocking Plates in Illustrator Pt 3
This is the third part of my tutorial on designing geometric smocking plates. For the first two parts, including the illustrator file you’ll need to complete this tutorial, click here and here. If...
View ArticleTutorial: Pleater Maintenance
How’s your pleater treating you? Is it hard to turn, fighting over every revolution? Does it skew the fabric, even when it’s been cut on grain? Create bubbles in the fabric? Miss pleats? Needles...
View ArticleScalloped Collar Tutorial
One of the details that I really enjoyed sewing on my recently completed 1950s cherry print dress was the scalloped sailor collar. I finished the edges with narrow piping, which helps to define the...
View ArticleTutorial: Smocked Herringbone Baskets
I got a lot of questions (and kind compliments) when I posted pictures of my Grace Knott WIP in the spring. Many of the questions dealt with the flower baskets, which look uncannily like real wicker....
View ArticlePerfect Picture Smocking – A New SAGA Correspondence Course
Have you ever wanted to learn to picture smock? Tried it and been unhappy with your results? Well, I’m delighted to announce a cure for what ails you: Perfect Picture Smocking is SAGA’s newest...
View ArticleSimple Drawstring Bag Tutorial
This is a simple bag pattern that makes up quickly and is great for a lunch bag, small shopping bag and general catch all. It’s super quick and easy to make, too, so it’s perfect when you need a quick...
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